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Won’t back Haryana in SYL row, AAP govt tells Supreme Court
The Delhi government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), told the Supreme Court on Monday that it would not support Haryana in its dispute with Punjab over the sharing of Ravi and Beas water.
The Delhi government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), told the Supreme Court on Monday that it would not support Haryana in its dispute with Punjab over the sharing of Ravi and Beas water.
Senior advocate CU Singh told a constitution bench, headed by Justice AR Dave, that the Delhi Government would withdraw the written submission submitted last week on behalf of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB).
Advocate Suresh Chandra Tripathi had forwarded the note, supporting Haryana. He had argued against the Punjab government’s Termination of Agreements Act, 2004, contending it would lead to water crisis in the capital. Tripathi was removed on the same day as the DJB counsel.
The Delhi government’s U-turn is seen as a political move in view of the assembly elections in Punjab due in February 2017.
Singh said a fresh affidavit would be filed, retracting the earlier stand. The bench told him it would consider the plea only after Delhi government filed it.
Arguing for Punjab senior advocate, Harish Salve said the court hearing was not a solution to decide the validity of the 2004 Act.
The Act had nullified Punjab’s water sharing agreements with its neighbours as the flow in the Ravi and Beas had decreased and it was not in a position to honour the commitment.
